Role of Protective Stoma After Primary Anastomosis for Generalized Peritonitis Due to Perforated Diverticulitis

To join this study, you must be at least 18 years old and have a severe tummy infection (peritonitis) caused by a burst pouch in your left bowel, which requires surgery where the bowel is reconnected. You need to be able to understand the study and agree to take part, or if you're too unwell, a family member or representative can give consent, which you'd then confirm later.

There are also reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you are extremely unwell from the infection (like being in septic shock), taking high doses of steroid medication, have had radiation treatment to your pelvis before, or have a weakened immune system. You also can't take part if you have a progressive cancer, a very high anaesthesia risk, or if the burst pouch is in the right side of your bowel. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those planning a pregnancy during the study, also cannot participate.

If you join this study, you'll be randomly assigned to one of two surgical groups right before your operation. This is similar to flipping a coin and means neither you nor your doctor chooses which group you're in. Either you'll have surgery to remove the infected bowel and reconnect it, or you'll have the same surgery but also with a temporary stoma (a diversion for your bowel) created.

If you have a stoma, you'll need another operation at least three months later to close it. Before this second operation, you'll have a special X-ray test using a liquid dye to check that your bowel has healed properly. After your initial surgery and any stoma closure, you'll have follow-up visits with the hospital team at 6, 12, and 24 weeks. There will be a final check-up 12 months after your first surgery to see how you are doing, check for any ongoing issues, and understand how your quality of life has been affected.